Papal interview: Pope Francis discusses his health, his critics and future of papacy
NICOLE WINFIELD, of The Associated Press, speaks with Pope Francis in a wide-ranging interview which also covered gun violence, relations with China and homosexuality…
Hong Kong’s Cardinal Zen among six fined over fund for protesters
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters One of Asia’s most senior Roman Catholic clerics, Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, was found guilty of failing to register a now-disbanded fund for pro-democracy protesters and fined $HK4,000 on Friday by a Hong Kong court. The May arrest of Zen and four others by the city’s national security police had triggered criticism from some Western […]
Members of US religious freedom panel speak out against China-Vatican deal
Vatican CityRNS Members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticised a recently renewed Vatican deal with China, saying it emboldens the Chinese government to crackdown on Christian communities. The secretive provisional agreement, originally signed in 2018 and renewed on 2nd October, allows Beijing to have a say in the appointment of bishops in the […]
Vatican confirms renewal of contested accord with China on bishops’ appointments
Vatican CityReuters The Vatican on Saturday said that it and China had renewed a secret and contested agreement on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the communist country. It was the second time the accord, which is still provisional, was extended for another two years since it was first reached in 2018. The latest […]
Cardinal Zen, five others stand trial in Hong Kong over fund
Hong Kong, ChinaAP A 90-year-old Catholic cardinal and five others stood trial in Hong Kong on Monday for allegedly failing to register a now-defunct fund set up to assist people arrested in the mass anti-government protests in the city three years ago. Cardinal Joseph Zen, who is a retired bishop of Hong Kong, was first […]
Vatican influence: Is Pope Francis’ diplomacy of dialogue failing?
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, reports on how, in Kazakhstan, Pope Francis could not dialogue with Russia or China, but Vatican experts say the real work happens behind closed doors…
EU Parliament urges Vatican to defend human rights in Hong Kong
Vatican CityRNS While the Vatican hopes to renew a secretive and controversial deal with China regarding bishops’ appointments, the European Parliament urged the Catholic institution to stand in defence of religious freedom in Hong Kong. The European Parliament called on the Holy See to “strengthen its diplomatic efforts and its leverage on the Chinese authorities” […]
Pope hopes China deal on bishops will be renewed soon
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis said that while the Vatican’s secret and contested agreement with China on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops is not ideal, he hopes it can be renewed in October because the church takes the long view. Relations with China was one of the many church and international topics the 85-year-old pontiff […]
Hong Kong Catholic cardinal criticises China deal after national security arrest
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong’s Cardinal Joseph Zen – in his first public remarks since he was arrested in a national security case earlier this month – on Tuesday criticised the Vatican for its “unwise” deal with China that is due for renewal in September. Zen, a 90-year-old retired Bishop of Hong Kong, is one […]
Hong Kong Catholic cardinal denies charges over relief fund
Hong Kong, ChinaAP Former Hong Kong Catholic leader Cardinal Joseph Zen and five others have denied charges for allegedly failing to register a relief fund aimed at financially assisting protesters who faced legal costs during the 2019 anti-government protests. The six, which also include singer Denise Ho and former opposition lawmakers Margaret Ng and Cyd Ho, […]